Seal



F. B. SHOFNER, JR

Dec. 12, 1939.

SEAL

Filed July 6, 1958 'ra /z// 3. 63 0 0 61; /2.

INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 12, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE SEAL Frank B. Shofner, Jr., Stevenson, Ala.

Application July 6, 1938, Serial No. 217,765

2 Claims.

My invention relates to the hermetic sealing of cans, containers and other receptacles where it is desired to preserve the contents thereof from exposal to the atmosphere over an appreciable period of time.

One of the principal objects of my invention is to provide a hermetic sealing means so constructed and arranged that the receptacle may be easily and conveniently opened and closed innumerable times without destroying the effectiveness of the sealing organization when said receptacle is closed.

Another object of my invention is to provide a hermetic sealing means for receptacles and the like which is simple in construction, durable and reliable in use, efficient in operation and economical in manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, appended claims and annexed drawing.

Referring to the drawing wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a top plan View of my invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof in assembled or closed position.

Figure 3 is a side elevation thereof in disassembled or opened position.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on theline 4-4 of Figure 1.

In teaching my invention I provide a container 5, for instance a can adapted for containing shoe polish and the like, provided with a container body member 6 and a cover member 1. The body member 6 is fashioned with the upper edge portion 8 thereof bent inwardly at a slight angle and formed adjacent the inwardly bent portion 8 with an outwardly extending flange 9 interposed substantially at right angles to the container body member. Said flange also extends circumferentially about said body.

The cover member I is fashioned with the lower edge portion In thereof bent or turned outwardly to provide a flange H1 similar to the flange 9 on the body member. When the cover member is in place on the body member, the flanges are in contact with each other, the inwardly bent portion 8 of the body member engaging the face of the cover member at the lower end thereof to secure the cover member against lateral displacement but permitting it to be lifted off of the container member without an appreciable effort.

For effecting a seal between the body member and cover member, I provide an endless elastic 55 band ll, preferably constructed of high grade rubber, formed with an internal circumferentially extending groove l2 of sufllcient width to receive the contacting flanges 9 and ID of the body and cover member.

Due to the elasticity of said band, the band 5 serves to secure said flanges together in sealed condition and will permit a relative amount of movement between said flanges without breaking the seal. The band is fashioned with a right angled or squared upper edge section I3 and an 10 acute angled or pointed lower edge section I4 whereby the upper section 13 may be readily rolled back over the lower edge section M to release the flanges from the groove and permit the cover member to be lifted oif to permit access to 15 the contents of said body member. When the cover member is replaced, the band is pulled or rolled back in a reverse direction with the flanges disposed within the groove thereof.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I 20 have provided a simple and eflicient means whereby containers and the like may be maintained in a hermetically sealed condition and capable of being frequently opened to permit access to the contents thereof and resealed without destroying 25 the reliability and efliciency of the sealing organization.

What I claim is:

1. In a sealing organization, a container body member, a container cover member, each of said 30 members fashioned with coacting outwardly extending flanges, and an elastic element of a substantially triangular configuration in cross section formed on the inner face with an appreciable deep annular groove receiving said flanges and extending about saidmembers and engaging the latter adjacent said flanges whereby to maintain said members connected together in sealed condition, said groove of said element defining a relatively thick section on one side of and immediately adjacent to said groove and a relatively thin tapering section on the opposite side of and immediately adjacent to said groove whereby said thick section may be readily disposed over said thin section to release said flanges from said groove to permit separation of said members.

2. In a sealing organization, a container body member, a container cover member, each of said members fashioned with coacting outwardly extending flanges, and an elastic element of a sub- 5 stantially triangular configuration in cross section formed on the inner face with an appreciable deep annular groove receiving said flanges and extending about said members and engaging the latter adjacent said flanges whereby to maintain groove to permit separation of said members, one of said members fashioned with an end portion adjacent the flange thereof for engaging the other member adjacent the flange of the latter to preclude relative lateral movement of said members.

FRANK B. SHOFNER, JR. 

